by Elaine Hart
He reached towards her face and brushed a lock of hair off her face. “Are you certain?”
Her laughter died down and she nodded, still gazing up at him. “Your tree climbing abilities are impressive, but your balance needs work.”
Lord Stanley chuckled and said, “Noted.”
They heard someone clear their throat behind them and Lady Lucy sat up. Both their eyes widened as they saw Lady Hudson with a very angry expression on her face.
“Grandmother,” Lady Lucy said and scrambled to her feet, Lord Stanley following suit.
“What on earth is going on here?” Lady Hudson exclaimed.
“Lady Hudson,” Lord Stanley said, but the angered expression on Lady Hudson’s face made him swallow his words.
“I do believe that it is time to leave now, my lord,” Lady Hudson said firmly and stared at Lady Lucy.
“Indeed,” Lord Stanley said and apologetically glanced at Lady Lucy for a moment before hastily making his way to the forested area, which would ultimately lead him to his father’s estate.
Lady Hudson still glared at Lady Lucy angrily and sighed. “Inside.”
“But Grandmother, please allow me to explain,” Lady Lucy requested.
“Inside, now,” Lady Hudson ordered firmly.
Lady Lucy’s shoulders slumped and she made her way back to the house, with her grandmother following her closely.
“Into the parlour,” her grandmother ordered and Lady Lucy obeyed.
Once inside, Lady Hudson closed the doors and glared at Lady Lucy.
“Your father brought you here in a desperate attempt for you to change, Lucy. He believes you have much potential and wasted it by acting the way you do,” Lady Hudson pointed out. “Lord Stanley is not a playmate to you, Lucy. He is the son of a very strict man, and the Earl does not take kindly to defiance.”
“But Lord Stanley did not defy his father.”
“Perhaps not, but what if your actions cause Lord Stanley to act out?”
“I do not believe that is at all possible,” Lady Lucy muttered.
Lady Hudson stepped closer to Lady Lucy and said in a low voice, “This is not a joke, Lucy. You cannot simply tell him to climb trees and be wayward as you are. What if he had hurt himself?”
“He would not have been hurt. We did not fall very far,” Lady Lucy shrugged. “And I did not tell him to, he did so on his own accord.”
“I find that hard to believe.”
“You denounce me as a liar?”
“That most certainly is not what I meant.”
“Then what did you mean, Grandmother?”
“The Earl will be very displeased if he hears of this.”
“Perhaps then it would be better for him not to know,” Lady Lucy suggested hopefully.
Lady Hudson glanced at Lady Lucy and narrowed her eyes.
“I am truly sorry, Grandmother. It was not my intention to cause any harm to Lord Stanley, or to upset you,” Lady Lucy apologised.
“You must understand, Lucy, Lord Stanley is very academic, and extremely focused. It is the way he has been raised. He is not the kind of person who climbs trees and...”
“And acts like I do.”
“Precisely,” Lady Hudson answered.
Lady Lucy pursed her lips and felt the tears form in her eyes. “I am sorry for being such a disappointment and an embarrassment to you, Grandmother.”
“Lucy, you are not...”
Before Lady Hudson could complete her statement, Lady Lucy rushed passed her and ran out of the parlour.
“Lucy!”
Lady Lucy heard her grandmother call out to her, but she did not glance back. She simply ran up the stairwell and to her bedchambers. She closed the door behind her and ran to her bed. Falling down onto the soft and comfortable bed provided her with the comfort of loving arms that she most certainly was not going to find at Compton Castle, and she cried into her pillow.
June 1814
Winhope Manor
Raignton
Devonshire
England
Lord Stanley entered the great hall and walked towards the downstairs study, when he spotted his mother and father conversing in the parlour.
“Where have you been?” Lady Winhope asked him.
“I came from Compton Castle,” Lord Stanley answered casually.
“Your lesson ended more than an hour ago,” Lord Winhope pointed out.
“I...”
“Stanley, where have you been?” Lady Winhope asked.
Lord Stanley was as inexperienced at lying as he was at climbing trees and keeping his balance, according to Lady Lucy. A smile formed on his lips and he glanced at his mother. “I was with Lady Lucy,” he admitted after a moment’s hesitation.
“Lady Lucy?” Lord Winhope asked.
“She is the granddaughter of Lady Hudson,” Lady Winhope answered.
“She is residing at Compton Castle for a while,” Lord Stanley pointed out.
“Is that so?” Lord Winhope asked.
Lord Stanley glanced at his father and nodded.
“How did you get that scrape on your arm?” Lady Winhope asked suddenly.
Lord Stanley glanced down at his arm and only then noticed the scrape on his arm, right below his elbow. He remembered that he had landed on that side when he and Lady Lucy fell to the ground from the tree. A smile ran across his face and he fobbed it off.
“It is nothing serious.”
“That was not what your mother asked, Stanley,” his father pointed out firmly.
Lord Stanley sighed and glanced at his father. “Lady Lucy and I climbed a tree.”
“What?”
“I beg your pardon,” Lord Winhope exclaimed.
“Indeed, and then we fell out of said tree,” Lord Stanley said with a chuckle.
“Are you alright? Is Lady Lucy alright?” Lady Winhope asked.
“We are fine,” Lord Stanley said with reassurance. “There is no need to worry.”
“Well,” Lord Winhope said and glanced at his wife, “it seems as though our son has made a new friend.”
“I am not too certain of that, Father. Lady Hudson was rather angry when she spotted us on the ground laughing with amusement,” Lord Stanley said.
“And why is that?” Lady Winhope asked.
“Lady Lucy’s father sent her to live with Lady Hudson in an attempt to tame her,” Lord Stanley answered, but the words felt wrong somehow.
“Tame her?”
“She is rather free-spirited, and it seems that neither her father nor her grandmother approves of that kind of behaviour,” Lord Stanley said and his shoulders slumped. “After today, I do not think she will be allowed outside those walls ever again.”
“That is rather unfortunate,” Lady Winhope sighed and pondered for a few moments. “Shall I go speak with Lady Hudson?”
“What?” Lord Winhope exclaimed.
“Would you do that, Mother?” Lord Stanley asked.
“Absolutely not,” Lord Winhope said and glanced at his wife.
“I personally think that it is lovely that Stanley has found a friend in Lady Lucy. Do you not think so, Thomas?” Lady Winhope asked Lord Winhope.
Lord Winhope pursed his lips and pondered for a moment. “Perhaps a distraction is necessary.”
Lord Stanley narrowed his eyes suspiciously at his father and crossed his arms. “Have I missed something?” Lord Stanley asked.
“What do you mean?” Lord Winhope asked.
“Upon your insistence, I kept my focus and—”
“Stanley, do you wish your mother and I to speak with Lady Hudson or not?” Lord Winhope asked.
“I do not require you to fight my battles for me,” Lord Stanley insisted. “But I do believe in this instance it would be better if you did speak with Lady Hudson.”
“Wonderful,” Lady Winhope said with a smile.
“I will request that the coach be readied at once,” Lord Winhope said and causally left the room.
> Lord Stanley glanced at his mother with a furrowed brow and asked, “What on earth is the matter with him?”
Lady Winhope sighed and approached her son. “Your father and I spoke once again, and things will be getting better.”
“I will believe it when I see it,” Lord Stanley muttered.
“He is willing to try to be a better man,” she said quietly. “Does that not count for something?”
“We will see for how long it lasts, Mother. For your sake, I do hope it does,” Lord Stanley stated.
“Come along, Stanley,” Lord Winhope said as he stepped into the room and motioned to Lady Winhope. “My dearest.”
For the first time in a very long time, Lord Stanley noticed a genuine smile on his mother’s lips, and he hoped for her sake it would last longer than the last time.
Compton Castle
Raignton
Devonshire
England
Lady Lucy heard the sound of hooves outside her window and noticed a coach approaching Compton Castle. She frowned as she watched it come to a stop and her eyes widened when she saw Lord Stanley and an older man and woman, who she could only assume where his parents, climb out of the coach. Lady Lucy froze for a moment and recalled what her grandmother had said regarding Lord Stanley’s father. Had Lord Stanley told his parents of their tree-climbing adventure? Were they here at Compton Castle to scold her for allowing their son to fall to the ground? Or was it something much more serious? Had he hurt himself and was too proud to tell her?
Lady Lucy attempted to recall whether he had walked with a limp, or had any scratches on him, but the only thing she could remember about him was the colour of his eyes, bright and deep, welcoming, yet lonely.
Lady Lucy bit her lip as she watched as they were escorted inside, then she quietly left her chambers, waiting at the top of the stairwell.
She noticed them as they entered through the great hall and were led to the terrace, where her grandmother undoubtedly sat having tea.
Lady Lucy ensured she was unseen and undetected as she quietly and slowly descended the stairwell and stood by the terrace doors, attempting to hear what was being said.
Of course, Lady Hudson was charming and welcoming towards her guests and Lady Lucy had to endure a lengthened discussion regarding the gossip in town, and how long it had been since Lady Winhope had visited. The nostalgic conversation quickly reverted back to the matter at hand, the matter which was now important for Lady Lucy to hear, and she listened intently.
“Perhaps it would be better for us to meet your granddaughter,” Lord Stanley’s father suggested.
“That is a wonderful idea,” Lady Hudson answered, but Lady Lucy knew her grandmother well enough to know that she was not pleased by this idea at all.
Nevertheless, Lady Lucy felt rather anxious and glanced down at herself, hoping she was adequately dressed for a scolding from the Earl of Winhope.
“My lady,” a manservant said to her as he approached the doors of the terrace. “I do believe Lady Hudson requests your presence on the terrace.”
“Of course she does,” Lady Lucy answered with a forced smile and took a deep breath before she stepped out onto the terrace.
The very first person she saw was Lord Stanley and her fear seemed to slowly fade away. The expression on his face was calm, and a hint of amusement showed in his eyes, twinkling in the sunlight.
Lord Stanley’s parents were not at all what she had pictured them to look like. His father had black hair and dark eyes, while his mother had light brown hair, the same as Lord Stanley’s, and a warm smile.
“May I introduce to you Lord and Lady Winhope, Lord Stanley’s parents,” Lady Hudson said formally.
“This must be Lady Lucy,” Lord Stanley’s mother said with a smile.
“Indeed. I am very pleased to make your acquaintance, my lady. You as well, my lord,” Lady Lucy greeted them politely and glanced at Lord Stanley. “My lord.”
“My lady,” he answered quietly.
“The pleasure is most certainly ours,” Lady Winhope beamed. “You are truly beautiful.”
“Mother,” Lord Stanley muttered under his breath.
“Do you not think she is beautiful, Stanley?” Lady Winhope asked and glanced at her son.
Lady Lucy lowered her gaze, but averted it towards Lord Stanley, who seemed to stumble over his words.
“Of course I do, but that is most certainly not why we are here,” Lord Stanley stuttered.
“Indeed,” Lord Winhope answered and glanced at Lady Hudson. “Our son told us that he and your granddaughter spent the afternoon climbing trees.”
“Indeed,” Lady Hudson muttered.
“He also told us that they fell from said tree,” Lady Winhope said.
“It was entirely my fault, my lady. I was the one who asked him to join me in the tree, and it was I who slipped and fell. Lord Stanley tried to grab me before I fell, but lost his balance and we both tumbled to the ground. It was not my intention to harm your son, my lady, my lord. I am truly sorry for what happened,” Lady Lucy explained remorsefully.
“Slow down, my dearest,” Lady Winhope said with a kind smile. “We are not here to scold you, or lay blame on you in any way.”
“You are not?” Lady Lucy and Lady Hudson asked at the very same moment. Lady Lucy was relieved, but her grandmother was rather perplexed.
“Of course not. It was not your fault and we would certainly not like you to not be allowed to spend time with our son,” Lady Winhope said.
Lady Lucy glanced at the Earl and the Countess, then at Lord Stanley and Lady Hudson. She was equally relieved and dumbfounded by the understanding and gracious manner in which the Countess spoke.
“You are not angry, or upset with me?” Lady Lucy asked.
“Not at all,” Lord Winhope answered.
“We would love nothing more for you to visit Lord Stanley whenever your heart desires, given that your grandmother grants her approval,” Lady Winhope answered and glanced at Lady Hudson.
“With all due respect, my lady, my lord, my granddaughter can be a little wayward at times, and her behaviour is rather questionable,” Lady Hudson said and glanced at Lady Winhope. “She will only be a distraction to Lord Stanley.
“A much needed distraction, in our opinion, my lady,” Lord Winhope pointed out.
“Pardon me, my lord,” Lady Lucy interrupted and Lord Winhope, Lady Winhope, and Lord Stanley glanced at her, awaiting her to continue. “In all honesty, you do not mind that I will possibly have your son climb a tree in the future, or fall from it?”
“Not in the least,” Lord Winhope answered. “As my dearest wife mentioned earlier, you are most welcomed to visit our estate at any time. We will be delighted to have you.”
“Thank you, my lord, my lady,” Lady Lucy said and glanced at Lord Stanley, who smiled at her.
Lady Lucy did not dare look at her grandmother, as she was well aware that her grandmother did not approve of this at all, but who was she to argue when Lord and Lady Winhope invited Lady Lucy to their home whenever she wished to go. Instead she held her gaze on Lord Stanley and suppressed a smile.
Chapter Four
June 1814
Winhope Gardens
Winhope Manor
Raignton
Devonshire
England
“That cloud resembles a rabbit,” Lady Lucy pointed at the sky as she lay on the lush, green grass.
Lord Stanley, who sat beside her on the grass, glanced at the sky and frowned. “It resembles a cloud,” he pointed out.
“No, it does not.”
“It is a cloud, after all,” he said simply.
Lady Lucy sat up and looked at him. “You do not have a shred of imagination, my lord.”
“As I have told you before, I do not.”
“Facts and evidence,” Lady Lucy repeated his words from when they had first met and rolled her eyes.
He chuckled and glanced at her. “How do you manage it?
”
“Manage what?” she asked and studied him as she dug her toes between the blades of grass.
“To look at the world through such wondrous eyes,” he answered.
Lady Lucy shrugged and said, “I have been this way ever since I can remember. I am very much different from my sisters and my parents, which is most certainly the reason why they do not understand me.”
“That seems very accurate, but it does not mean there is something wrong with you,” he pointed out.
She looked at him and raised an eyebrow. “Do you think there is something wrong with me?”
“Not at all. You are perfect the way you are,” he answered.
A smile which reached her eyes formed on her lips and Lord Stanley could not help but smile as well. Her blue eyes were bright and happy, and for a moment he felt as if he had been swept away by the current in her eyes.
She shifted her weight slightly and gazed up at the sky. “It was very kind of your parents to be so welcoming towards me.”
“It surprised me as well.”
“Why is that?”
“I do not get along with my father.”
“I figured that. You seemed surprised by the things he said to my grandmother, and to me,” Lady Lucy pointed out.
“I was,” Lord Stanley answered and lowered his gaze. “My father has a temper and my mother is always at the receiving end of it.”
Lady Lucy’s smile faded and she pursed her lips briefly. “Does he strike her?”
“Sometimes. He mostly raises his voice at her, belittles her, but it is still damaging,” Lord Stanley said.
“That is truly terrible,” she sighed miserably. “I am sincerely sorry to hear that.”
“The worst thing of all is, there is nothing I can do to stop it,” he said.
“Have you spoken to your father?”
“My father is a difficult man to understand.”
“Perhaps you should draw his cork,” she suggested.
Lord Stanley glanced at her in disbelief and shook his head.
“What?” she asked with a furrowed brow.
“I cannot believe you even suggested that,” he answered.
“Why not?”